Anorexia Nervosa - The Facts

iNTaYkE · 11-19-2007, 02:57 PM

This thread is for those of you who are anorexic, thinking about starving yourself, or are just interested in learning more about this eating disorder. I have included two different versions. The Graphic Version contains the same information found in the Non-Graphic version, but well presented. The Non-Graphic Version is for those who have a hard time reading the Graphic Version, or for those with slow internet. (The Graphic Version is NOT Dial-Up Friendly)

Graphic Version
Title Page
Description
Symptoms
Causes
Prevention & Treatment

Non-Graphic Version
Description
Anorexia Nervosa, also known as anorexia, is a psychiatric diagnostic of a person who has an unhealthy fear of gaining weight, even if they are already very thin. Anorexia mostly affects females, but can also affect males. This disorder usually begins at a young age, around the time of puberty, and involves massive weight loss.

Symptoms
People with anorexia will try to lose weight by:

Taking pills to urinate
Taking diet pills
Avoiding the consumption of food
Obsessed with exercising
Counting calories
Weighing food
Playing with food rather than eating it

Other symptoms:

Acting differently
Discussing weight and food constantly
Avoids eating or going out in public
Be moody, sad, or upset
Body weight is 85% or less than the typical body weight for someone of similar build, age, and height
Intense fear of gaining weight

Causes
There is no single known cause of anorexia; however, it's likely that a combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors play a part in developing anorexia.

Biological

Having a mother or sister with the Anorexia increases your chances of developing the disorder as well.
Genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, may also play a role in anorexia.

Psychological

They may have obsessive personality traits which allow them to stick with a diet, no matter how strict it is.
They may have perfectionism personality traits which make them think they are never thin enough.

Sociocultural

Women in the United States under Modern Western culture are constantly pressured to be thin and beautiful like the models and actresses they are exposed to everywhere by the media.

Prevention
There is no single known way to prevent anorexia. Although, knowing the early signs or symptoms of anorexia and seeking treatment right away can help prevent the complications of anorexia.

Treatment

Because those with anorexia think there is nothing wrong with them, treatment for the disorder is very difficult
Those with anorexia must want to change and be supported by others such as family and friends
Prescribed medication that makes them feel less depressed
Long term counseling

Support Agencies
Anorexia and Bulimia Center of Hawaii
444 Hobron Lane Suite 315, Honolulu, HI
Office: 808-550-0510

Aloha Healing Women
14-4720 Malulani Circle, PO Box 1850, Pahoa, HI
Office: 1-888-967-8622

NOTE: Sorry, these are just my local support agencies, I'll post more when I get the chance.

+Rep if you found this thread useful in anyway, thanks.

Good luck,
iNTaYkE

DeLarge · 11-19-2007, 03:00 PM

My girlfriend is anorexic and bullimic. It's a struggle every day for me to try and keep her healthy. She's at least in the healthy weight range right now, but it's still scary. I love her so much and just wish she could see that people love her the way she is and she doesn't have to starve herself and harm herself to be accepted.

Kat · 11-20-2007, 12:34 AM

It must be horrible.
But i always forget this is the way i wanted to go

iNTaYkE · 11-20-2007, 02:31 PM

Aww, no one wants to +Rep me for this thread?
Sad

lol -.-

x.VampireSaliva · 11-21-2007, 06:12 AM

I'm normally skinny and my parents and friends are always saying I'm anorexic and underweight and so bone and telling me to eat a hamburger and just naturally seem snitchy about this, though I've always been skinny. I have dropped some weight but I don't think I look nearly as bad as some people do. Like those models, or the one who just died who was under 60 pounds.
That's just disgusting.

Tourniquet · 11-21-2007, 06:08 PM

Is anorexia something you just develop after restraining yourself from eating? such as if you really crave something but force yourself not to eat it then eventually will you just not crave it any more and really not want to eat it?

or is it something that just sort of happens? and that you start getting annoyed with your weight so you decide to eat less... then eventually it leads to a serious cut back of food? Is that also classified as being anorexic?

Phuck Buddy · 11-21-2007, 09:46 PM

anorexia, in its most common form at least, is when you think you're fat or want to lose weight, so you dont eat anything in hopes to lose or maintain your weight

Kat · 11-21-2007, 11:37 PM

I dont really understand why young women want such tiny bodies. Its a natural part of devloping into a woman, to have a womanly figure. In some ways im proud of mine even though i do often wish i had a very childish body.

Phuck Buddy · 11-21-2007, 11:45 PM

i like larger boobies so i'm against anorexia

ARehearsalForTragedy · 11-22-2007, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tourniquet

Is anorexia something you just develop after restraining yourself from eating? such as if you really crave something but force yourself not to eat it then eventually will you just not crave it any more and really not want to eat it?

or is it something that just sort of happens? and that you start getting annoyed with your weight so you decide to eat less... then eventually it leads to a serious cut back of food? Is that also classified as being anorexic?

its something that people develop over time or it can just happen.

you cant just get it from skipping lunch or whatever lol.

i had it a few years ago and it was a build up of things that happened from my childhood. i started eating less and less and soon i started to be scared of eating food, when you dont eat you feel... proud? like youve achived something when you can feel the hunger pains.

Tourniquet · 11-22-2007, 02:19 PM

Did you force yourself to stop eating food or did you gradually just not enjoy eating as much? By the way I'm sorry if I seem nosey or whatever.

xxXRawrHelloKittyxxX · 11-22-2007, 02:40 PM

You just described me, perfectly.

Pleasant.Addictions. · 11-22-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARehearsalForTragedy

its something that people develop over time or it can just happen.

you cant just get it from skipping lunch or whatever lol.

i had it a few years ago and it was a build up of things that happened from my childhood. i started eating less and less and soon i started to be scared of eating food, when you dont eat you feel... proud? like youve achived something when you can feel the hunger pains.

I'm sort of anorexic. I haven't been diagnosed or anything but.. that's exactly how it is for me.